Childhood obesity is rarely out of the headlines these days as more and more results are revealed about the epidemic affecting our young children and teens.

These are just some of the child obesity stories – or proposed ‘fixes’ for child obesity –- that have recently hit the headlines...

Currently around one in three children under 15 is overweight or obese.

“Entire generation is being destroyed by a diet of junk food and sugary drinks” BBC News

Health leaders call for an emergency task force to be set up to tackle childhood obesity in England.

Childhood obesity ‘timebomb’ warning – Daily Mirror

Misguided parents are bringing up an outsize generation of overweight children who regularly gorge on junk food and sugary treats and rarely get any exercise, say worried health chiefs.

Britain’s child obesity epidemic revealed as doctors treat babies as young as 10 months for being overweight – Daily Mail

Over the past three years, at least 932 children under the age of 15 have needed urgent medical attention as a consequence of Britain’s obesity epidemic.

Stemming the rising tide of child obesity

It’s clear that child obesity is a major problem in the UK, with 33% of 11– 15 year olds obese or overweight…and that figure is still rising. And there are a great many strategies afoot to curb child obesity as the headlines above show. However, if you’re concerned about your teenage son or daughter’s weight – or they’ve mentioned their own concerns to you – you may be looking for a local, practical, supportive way to help them lose weight, grow into their weight or learn to eat more healthily now.

Free2Go – Slimming World’s unique healthy eating, activity and support programme – has been specifically created to empower 11-15 year olds to make smarter choices, moving step-by-step towards a healthier, fitter, happier lifestyle. With input from their GP, the support of one of our warm and friendly groups and encouragement from their families, thousands of young members have already started the journey towards a lighter future and away from the stigma of child obesity.

Billie-Rose Brocklehurst is just one of our young members who has turned her life around. You can read all about her weight loss story here.